Masaru Kohno No.10 1968 SP/BRZ Rare Brazilian Rosewood, Paris Gold Medal Era

1968 Masaru Kohno No.10 Classical Guitar – Rare Brazilian Rosewood, Paris Gold Medal Era

A rare and outstanding example from one of Japan’s most revered luthiers, this 1968 Masaru Kohno No.10 classical guitar was crafted just a year after Kohno was awarded the Gold Medal at the 1967 International Guitar-Making Competition in Paris. Built during his golden period, this guitar features top-grade Brazilian rosewood back and sides—a tonewood now virtually unobtainable and highly prized for its beauty, depth, and tonal complexity.

Kohno’s early guitars are known for their elegance, structural precision, and rich, European-inspired sound. His work was admired by legendary guitarist Julian Bream, who praised Kohno’s guitars for their clarity and responsiveness.

Specifications:

Top: Master grade Japanese spruce – beautifully aged with responsive tone and projection

Back & Sides: Premium old-growth Brazilian rosewood – dark, straight-grained, and sonorous

Neck: Mahogany

Fretboard: Ebony

Scale Length: 660mm

Nut Width: 52mm

Label: Signed "No.10, 1968" 

Case: Sturdy fitted hard case included

Tonal Character:

The guitar has a clear, lyrical voice with exceptional balance and projection. The spruce top, combined with Brazilian rosewood, produces sparkling trebles, rich basses, and outstanding sustain—perfect for expressive solo performance and refined chamber music. This is a concert-level instrument with deep musicality and soul.

Condition:

In very good condition, with minor marks and signs of age consistent with careful use. 1 dry cracks on the top has been carefully fixed. The frets and fingerboard are in excellent shape. The guitar remains fully stable, resonant, and ready to play or record.

An Exceptional Concert Guitar with Provenance and Prestige

Early Kohno guitars with Brazilian rosewood are increasingly rare and sought after. This No.10 is not just a superb instrument—it’s a collectible piece of classical guitar history, made by a master whose work bridged East and West with elegance and brilliance.